Assistant Underwriter

Assistant Underwriter

Full-Time 58540 - 71548 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support underwriting and management of casualty and specialty programmes while collaborating with various teams.
  • Company: Join Sompo, a global leader in insurance with a focus on collaboration and career growth.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values accountability, agility, and integrity.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your underwriting career and gain expertise in the Lloyd’s market and portfolio management.
  • Qualifications: Strong interest in underwriting, analytical skills, and effective communication are key.

The predicted salary is between 58540 - 71548 £ per year.

Are you looking for your next opportunity? Sompo has a unique opportunity for an Assistant Underwriter in our Cross-Class Portfolio team. Our Cross-Class Portfolio team supports the effective underwriting and management of casualty and specialty programme business across the underwriting lifecycle. Working closely with underwriters, brokers, coverholders, operations, claims and actuarial teams, the team helps deliver strong delegated authority oversight, high-quality underwriting data, portfolio insight and governance support. This is an excellent opportunity to build expertise in delegated authority business, Lloyd’s market practices and portfolio management while developing toward an underwriting career.

Location: This position will be based out of our London office. We strive for collaboration which is why we offer a work environment where our employees thrive and develop long lasting careers.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Strategy and Planning
    • Understand and contribute to delivery of the divisional business plan, referring to Senior Underwriters or Underwriters where appropriate.
    • Participate in relevant meetings to share insight, develop strategy, and promote knowledge and best practice.
    • Promote the department, division, and wider company to maximise brand value and leverage.
    • Apply the reinsurance strategy to protect the portfolio, referring to Senior Underwriters or Underwriters where appropriate.
  • Policy, Process and Procedures
    • Perform underwriting activities, where authority is granted, in line with all legal and regulatory requirements to ensure obligations are met.
    • Follow underwriting standards, instructions and good practice to minimise risk and maximise efficiency.
    • Ensure insurance risks, including delegated underwriting authorities where relevant, are accurately recorded and measured in line with good practice, while developing understanding of policy wording changes.
    • Maintain awareness and understanding of reinsurance requirements to minimise risk and support delivery of business plan objectives.
  • Environmental Awareness/Customer Focus
    • Establish technical knowledge and judgement to support Senior/Underwriters with identifying issues and opportunities.
    • Establish, develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders including customers, brokers, business partners and colleagues to maximise influence and achieve business objectives.
    • Demonstrate support for market associations and trade bodies.
    • Demonstrate an understanding and awareness of market dynamics and market cycle to drive and enhance business performance.
  • Technical Performance
    • Develop expertise and technical knowledge by working with Head of/Senior/Underwriters to identify and complete appropriate learning and development activities.
    • Underwrite insurance risks, where authority is granted, in line with the business plan and delegated underwriting authority. This includes negotiating rates, terms and conditions for new and existing business, supporting policy wording changes where appropriate, ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements, contributing to business objectives, and assisting credit control with premium collection where required.
    • Maintain awareness of portfolio review and analysis to monitor progress against business objectives.
    • Ensure all authorised business is appropriately peer reviewed and written in line with company underwriting standards and individual authority limits.
  • People Management
    • Operate collaboratively with colleagues in the team to acquire knowledge and expertise and understand required standards of performance.
    • Act in accordance with, and be an advocate of the Sompo Values.

What You’ll Bring:

  • Understanding of, or strong interest in, delegated authority business and programme underwriting.
  • Strong Excel, analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to identify trends and performance drivers.
  • High attention to detail, strong organisational ability and effective prioritisation skills.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across underwriting, operations, claims, actuarial and finance teams.
  • Experience in an underwriting environment, bordereaux handling, claims reporting or underwriting administration is desirable.
  • Knowledge of Lloyd’s market processes, delegated authority frameworks or progress toward industry qualifications such as CII is preferred.

At Sompo, we recognise that the talent, skills, and commitment of our employees drive our success. This is why we offer competitive, high-quality compensation and benefit programs to eligible employees. Our compensation program is built on a foundation that promotes a pay-for-performance culture, resulting in higher incentive awards, on average, when the Company does well and lower incentive awards when the Company underperforms. The total compensation opportunity for all regular, full-time employees is a combination of base salary and incentives that gets adjusted upfront based on overall Company performance with final awards based on individual performance. We continuously evaluate and update our benefit programs to ensure that our plans remain competitive and meet the needs of our employees and their dependents.

Who We Are And What We Stand For:

At Sompo, our shared purpose is to create meaningful value for clients, communities, and each other. We strive to foster a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and empowered to excel. As a global organization, we embrace diversity and champion equal opportunity. Guided by our core values—Accountability, Agility, Collaboration, Development, and Integrity—we build trust and support one another to achieve our goals worldwide. Life at Sompo | Sompo Our values come to life in how we hire and grow talent. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need, and we strive to ensure equitable access to opportunities so everyone can do their best work.

Assistant Underwriter employer: Sompo

At Sompo, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and professional growth. Our London office provides unique opportunities to engage with diverse teams across the London Market, ensuring that you can develop your skills while contributing to impactful projects in Marine, Energy, and Aviation sectors. With a strong commitment to employee development and a focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, Sompo is the ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in actuarial analysis.

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Contact Details:

Sompo Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Underwriter

✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events

Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.

✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage

Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Sompo). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!

✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes

Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.

✨Leverage Your Current Connections

Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Sompo. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Underwriter

Communication Skills
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Organizational Skills
Flexibility
Teamwork

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.

Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Sompo.

Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Sompo. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.

How to prepare for a job interview at Sompo

✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals

Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Sompo to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Side

In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!

✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

As a full-timer at Sompo, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.

✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out

Understanding Sompo's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.